Abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective jewelry

ABSTRACT

A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective jewelry piece has a central cylindrical braided rope core surrounded by a cylindrical reflective braided sleeve comprising three or more narrow width reflective strips that are braided at a shallow cylindrical braid angle that reflect an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it was emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate omnidirectional illumination of the person wearing the reflective jewelry piece during dusk or nighttime hours. This reflective jewelry piece is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve. The braided reflective sleeve is composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sown thereon. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube or microsphere retroreflectors to a flexible polymeric sheet. Due to its braided construction, the reflective jewelry piece reflects light omnidirectionally over a large angle of acceptance, illuminating the person wearing the reflective jewelry piece, thereby providing an improved measure of safety for the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/185,059, filed Jul. 20, 2005, which, in turn, is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/067,442, filed Feb.25, 2005, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/935,687, filed Sep. 8, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,965,which, in turn, claims the benefit of Application No. 60/591,936, filedJul. 28, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to reflective jewelry; and moreparticularly, to abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective jewelryespecially suited for use during dusk or nighttime hours to enhancesafety of a person while walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, or thelike, in the vicinity of land vehicles and / or other light emittingsources.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, engaging in sport activities, orthe like, during dusk or nighttime hours can be hazardous inneighborhoods where automobiles are encountered. Illuminatingcharacteristics of the automobile headlamps, generally afford anillumination range of approximately 25 to 50 feet. This illuminationrange can be significantly reduced by mist or fog, or bends in the road.Despite improvements to vehicle headlights, pedestrians are oftentimesnot recognized by automobile drivers until the distance between theautomobile and the pedestrian is small. The same principle holds truefor persons in marine craft such as dinghy's, sunfish and the like,which may be navigating on rivers, lakes, harbors, inland waterways andother boating areas.

Use of high intensity illumination is not always possible since it isdifficult and cumbersome for an individual participating in suchactivities to carry an illuminating light source, such as a flashlight.Even still, carrying an illuminating light source during sportingactivities is oftentimes ineffective due to the limited illuminationdistances realized by hand-held illumination sources. In suchsituations, poor illumination can present a high level of danger. Higherintensity, bright illumination sources do not solve this hazard, sincethese high intensity light sources tend to be relatively bulky andheavy, and therefore are far less convenient to carry while walking,jogging, or participating in sport activities during dusk or nighttimehours.

Several approaches devised by prior art workers attempt to providesolutions for hazardous conditions resulting from common outdooractivities, such as walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, engaging insport activities, or the like. Many of these approaches revolve aroundpedestrians walking their pets; such approaches have been utilized toprovide safer conditions for the pets. These approaches include 1) useof pet collars that are illuminated or reflective; 2) use of leasheswhich are illuminated or reflective; or 3) a combination of bothfeatures. None of these solutions suggest indicating the whereabouts ofa pedestrian or person engaging in a sporting activity viaomnidirectional reflection.

Various types of illumination devices are known in the art. Many ofthese illumination devices involve use of bulbs or other powered sourcesassociated with dog collars. These power-illuminated leashes requirebatteries, light bulbs or other lighting elements, which are not neededfor reflective illumination. Accordingly, a detailed discussion thereofis not required.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,201 to Chao, et al. discloses an illuminated collarfor pets and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,692 to Kuhnsman, et al.discloses an illuminated pet leash comprising a non-opaque tube thatcontains one or more bundles of optical fibers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,110to Lo Cascio discloses a pet collar that includes a light source and apower source attached to a strap. U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,552 to Haydendiscloses an electrically lighted pet leash that is composed of atransparent, flexible tube containing a string of small electric lightbulbs mounted in parallel between two insulated wires. U.S. Pat. No.5,046,456 to Heyman, et al. discloses an illuminated pet collar in whichmultiple lights are mounted within a flexible, light-permeable tube thatextends about the perimeter of the collar. A housing mounted on one endof the tube contains a circuit and a battery for operating the lights.U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,946 to Pennock, et al. discloses an illuminated petcollar with miniature lights powered by a battery encased within aflexible, pliable, transparent plastic display tube, which areparallel-wired within the display tube. U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,082, to Wadediscloses an animal collar that includes illuminating devices, such aslight emitting diodes, liquid quartz strips or electric lamps powered bya plurality of solar cells. U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,075 to Passarella, etal. discloses a pet leash and flashlight combination. U.S. Pat. No.5,523,927 to Gokey discloses an illuminated animal collar light emittingdiode placed on the outer exterior of a collar powered by a battery.U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,106, issued to Tangen, discloses a lighted animalcollar that includes a plurality of separate light emitting assemblies,or housings, at spaced intervals along the collar. U.S. Pat. No.5,558,044 to Nasser, Jr. et al. discloses an illuminating leash handlewith a flashlight. U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,382 to Barbera, et al. disclosesan illuminated pet harness having straps with internal cavities thatcontain fiber optic cores illuminated by a light bulb. U.S. Pat. No.5,762,029 to DuBois, et al. discloses a combined retractable leash andflashlight. U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,807 to Keeler discloses an illuminatedpet leash, wherein illumination is remotely activated by a pet owner tolocate the leash. U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,095 to Greves discloses anelectroluminescence-illuminated pet flat leash strap. U.S. Pat. No.6,170,968 to Caswell discloses a motion activated rotatable illuminator.U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,849 to Macedo, et al. discloses a device forremovably attaching a flashlight to a retractable dog leash. U.S. Pat.No. 6,557,498 to Smierciak, et al. discloses a night safety petillumination marker, with a pet collar having a series of light emittingdiodes mounted around the perimeter of the collar and powered by batterypower.

Various types of devices involving reflective illumination are known inthe art; many of these devices involve reflective dog collars.Representative dog collars of this variety are discussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,336 to Bergman discloses a reflective dog collarwhich is not illuminated; but which utilizes a highly reflectivematerial having the form of different color dots encapsulated inplastic. This illuminates only portions of the flat planar pet collar.Moreover, the reflective dog collar disclosed by the '336 patent cannotfeasibly be utilized as reflective jewelry to be worn by a person.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,521 to Puiello discloses a reflective safety harnessfor quadruped animals. The harness includes a pair of identical sheetelements with a light reflective surface mounted on opposite sides ofthe animal. At the corners of the sheet are fastened straps, whichcircumscribe the animal's body at the front and rear of the harness.Extending from the front strap, at the top point thereof, midway betweenthe two elements, is a loop through which the dog's regular collar ispassed. The arrangement assures immovable attachment of the harness onthe dog's body. The disclosure by the '521 patent of a reflective sheetpositioned on both sides of the animal does not suggest a jewelry piecethat is worn by a person and reflects incident light.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,156 to Kupperman, et al. discloses a reflectiveanimal leather leash. The elongated leather animal leash includes a sewna transparent polyvinyl chloride strip with a light reflective prismdesign on one surface. The light reflective prism is bonded bydielectric heat sealing or sonic welding to an opaque polyvinyl chloridestrip sewn to the leather strip, resulting in a leash having a lightreflective surface. Since the strip has a reflective surface on only oneside of the leash, it does not reflect light in every direction. Theflat leather leash is not easily twistable and is not readily bentwithout separating the transparent and opaque polyvinyl chloride layers.Moreover, the leather leash cannot feasibly be utilized as reflectivejewelry to be worn by a person.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,548 to Cohn discloses a safety device for animals. Apet collar uses “retro-reflective” threads with glass reflectiveelements in a flexible webbing to form a pet leash. The threads are saidto reflect incident light directly back toward the source. Dispositionof reflective threads in the webbing forming the collar is sparce. As aresult, the quantum of incident light reflected is small; and aninsignificant quantum of incident light is reflected back to the source.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,233 to Bozzaco discloses a safety collar for pets.The collar has highly reflective flexible elements with a length largeenough to extend beyond the outer surface of the pet's hair. It usesflexible elements with Scotchlite reflecting strips attached to acollar. A reflective jewelry piece is not disclosed, and the flexibleelements do not reflect light in every direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,457 to Spencer discloses a material with enhancedvisibility characteristics. This flexible visibility enhancing materialcombines the advantages of a light reflective component and aluminescent component. The material includes a first layer of prismaticlight reflective plastic material having an underlying surface formedwith a plurality of minute prism-like formations projecting there fromat regular spaced intervals, and an overlying substantially smooth lighttransmissive surface. Bonded, i.e. by heat-sealing, to the first layeris a second layer of plastic luminescent material. The second layer iscontiguously and integrally attached to the underlying surface of theprism-like formations and generally coextensive therewith. Thevisibility enhancing material simultaneously radiates luminescent lightfrom the second layer through the underlying surface of prism-likeformations and through the smooth light transmissive surface andreflects light from the prism-like formations through the smooth lighttransmissive surface. In one embodiment, a leash for controlling andrestraining a pet animal includes a flexible elongate member comprisedof the visibility enhanced material. In another embodiment, the secondlayer is replaced with a layer of luminescent material, which can beselectively energized to become luminous. Since the transparentreflective material is a molded plastic of prismatic construction it isrigid and is not flexible and does not form a reflective jewelry piecethat is capable of being twisted and bent, or worn by a person. Furtherany twisting and bending action separates the reflective element fromthe luminescent element.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,448 to Spencer, et al. discloses a visibilityenhancing material. The flexible visibility enhancing material combinesthe advantages of a light reflective component and a luminescentcomponent. The material includes a first layer of prismatic lightreflective plastic material having an underlying surface formed with aplurality of minute prism-like formations projecting therefrom atregular spaced intervals, and an overlying substantially smooth lighttransmissive surface. A second layer of plastic luminescent material iscontiguously and integrally attached to the underlying surface of theprism-like formations and generally coextensive therewith. Thevisibility enhancing material simultaneously radiates luminescent lightfrom the second layer through the underlying surface of the prism-likeformations and through the smooth light transmissive surface, andreflects light from the prism-like formations through the smooth lighttransmissive surface. In one embodiment, a leash for controlling andrestraining a pet animal includes a flexible elongate member comprisedof the visibility enhanced material. Since the transparent reflectivematerial is a molded plastic of prismatic construction, it is rigid andis not flexible and does not form a reflective jewelry piece that iscapable of being twisted and bent, or worn by a person. Furthermore, anytwisting and bending action will result in separation of the reflectiveelement from the luminescent element.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,556 to Edwards discloses an illuminating dog safetysystem. This illuminating dog safety system is designed for allowing ananimal to be more visible at night. The device includes a collar that isworn around a neck of an animal. The collar has a reflective stripextending a majority of its length. A harness is provided that isadapted to be worn around a torso of the animal. The harness iscomprised of an upper strap member, a lower strap member, and alongitudinal extension there between. The upper strap member, the lowerstrap member, and the longitudinal extension each have a reflectivestrip extending a majority of a length thereof. A leash is provided thatis adapted for securement to the collar. The leash has a reflectivestrip extending a majority of its length. All these strip elements aremade from flat elements, as shown in FIG. 3 of the patent disclosure.Twisting the elements does not provide the reflectivity needed foradequate visibility at night.

Numerous patents disclose reflective materials. Some of these patentsdisclose reflective elements having corner cube shapes embedded in arigid or flexible polymeric strips and monolayers of spherical beads,i.e. primarily glass beads bonded to a reflective sheet.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,584 to DeVries, et al. discloses that a reinforcinglayer may be incorporated into an embedded lens retroreflectivesheeting. The reinforcing layer may be of a similar composition as thebinder in which the microspheres are embedded. The layer may be appliedto the back side of the secularly reflective layer via spraying, i.e.,by a solvent-coating technique. Examples of the reinforcing layermaterials disclosed include methyl methacrylate, flexible epoxy resins,chloro-sulfonated polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene,polycarbonate resin, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate-butyrate.The reflective layer is typically very thin and fragile, i.e. in theorder of 0.06 microns thick, and must be disposed in specialrelationship to the microspheres in order for the sheeting to provideuseful retro-reflection.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,190,178 to McKenzie discloses a reflex reflectivesheeting. It uses a monolayer of microspheres embedded in a polymer toreflect the incoming light beam in the same direction as the incidentbeam. Since the sheet is formed by melting of the polymeric binder, itis rigid and therefore unsuitable for reflective jewelry.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,159 to McGrath discloses cellular retroreflectivesheeting. The cellular retroreflective sheeting comprises a base layerof retroreflective elements and a transparent cover film supported inspaced relation away from the base layer by a network of narrowintersecting bonds. These bonds form hermetically sealed cells withinwhich retroreflective elements are isolated from retroreflectiveelements of different cells. The resultant sheeting achieves greaterdurability through use of bonds that are cured in situ after they havebeen thermoformed into sealing contact between the cover film and baselayer. The base material is coated with the binder, subjected to heatand pressure to displace the binder around the embedded microsphers orcorner cubes forming the bonded network. Retroreflective articles soconstructed may be rigid and inflexible.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,850 to Martens, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,582,885,4,668,558 to Barber disclose a shaped plastic articles having replicatedmicrostructure surfaces. This shaped plastic article is made bycrosslinked polymer with hard and soft segments having amicrostructure-bearing surface that is replicated, with a castablefluid, and radiation hardened. Articles formed by this process exhibit,a retro-reflective cube-corner sheeting, Fresnel lens or video disc. Allthese formed articles are rigid and therefore unsuitable for use inreflective jewelry. Moreover, these articles also exhibit low tearstrength.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,985 to Bingham discloses a launderableretroreflective appliqué that comprises a layer of transparentmicrospheres, a specular reflective layer optically connected to eachmicrosphere, and a binder layer into which the microspheres arepartially embedded. Resins disclosed as being suitable for use as binderlayers include polyurethane, polyesters, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylchloride, acrylics, or combinations thereof. The specular reflectivelayers are composed of two succeeding layers of dielectric material. Thelayers have varying refractive indices and are composed of a variety ofbinary metal compounds including oxides, sulfides, and fluorides.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,818 to Thomas discloses three-dimensional flexiblereflectors. The reflector is provided with elastomeric resilient memberwith a plurality of embedded retro-reflective glass beads. A portion ofthe outer surface of the elastomeric material is removed to expose theglass beads. The exterior surface of the glass beads at the outersurface is exposed and is subject to abrasion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,525 to Bailey discloses elastomeric retroreflectivesheeting. The elastomeric retroreflective sheeting has a monolayer ofnon-stretchable microspheres. These microspheres are embedded in a sheetwith a spacing layer of transparent elestomeric material underlying theback surface of the microspheres. A cover layer of transparentelastomeric material covers the front surface of the microspheres. Aspecularly reflective layer is disposed on the back surface of thespacing layer. The cover layer comprises a clear thermoplasticelastomeric aliphatic polyurethane.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,335 to Kuney discloses microsphere-basedretro-reflective articles having high retroreflective brightness atnarrow divergence or observation angles, i.e. up to 0.5 degrees. Thearticle is made by selection of microspheres having defined combinationsof average diameter and average refractive index. This patent teaches(column 4, lines 18-23) that variation in the size of the microsphereswill increase the observation angle or divergence angle of the resultantretro-reflective article.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,098 to Kult, et al. discloses cellularencapsulated-lens high whiteness retroreflective sheeting with aflexible cover sheet. This cellular, encapsulated-lens retroreflectivesheeting comprises a base sheet of a monolayer of retroreflectiveelements that is partially embedded in a binder layer which typically iswhite. A cover sheet is disposed in spaced relation from the layer ofretroreflective elements. A network of narrow intersecting bonds, orseal legs, that extend between the cover sheet and the base sheet withbinder material are thermoformed at the point of contact between thebase sheet and cover sheet. Such a rigid, reflective sheet is unsuitablefor pet leashes, which require structures that can twist and flex.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,304 to Huang, et al. discloses a retroreflectivearticle. The retroreflective article has corner cubes and is flexible,and can be applied over irregular surfaces by using an optically clear,aliphatic polyurethane polymer. The aliphatic polymer has a plurality ofhard chain segments having the formula —C(O)N(H)—C₆H₁₀—N(H)C(O)—.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,262 to Li discloses a launderable retroreflectiveappliqué. The appliqué employs a reflector that comprises elementalaluminum or elemental silver on the backside of the microspheres. Theappliqué comprises a monolayer of metal-coated microspheres partiallyembedded in and partially protruding from a binder layer. The binderlayer comprises a flexible polymer having hydrogen functionalities andone or more isocyanate-functional silane coupling agents. The disclosedflexible polymers that possess hydrogen functionalities are crosslinked,flexible urethane-based polymers, such as isocyanate-cured polymers orone or two component polyurethanes and polyols.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,101 to Li discloses a launderable retroreflectiveappliqué comprising a binder layer formed from an electron-beam curablepolymer and typically one or more crosslinkers and silane couplingagents. Electron-beam curable polymers include chlorosulfonatedpolyethylenes, ethylene copolymers comprising at least about 70 weightpercent of polyethylene, such as ethylene/vinyl acetate,ethylene/acrylate, and ethylene/acrylic acid, andpoly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-diene) polymers. Glass microspheres areembedded in the cured binder layer, and a specular reflective metallayer is disposed on the embedded portions thereof. When the appliqué isinverted, light comes through the binder layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,790 to Nakajima discloses a microsphere-basedretroreflective article. The retroreflective article comprises amonolayer of microspheres partially embedded in and protruding from abinder layer and specular reflector underlying the microspheres. Themonolayer of microspheres comprises a mixture of a first class ofmicrospheres having a first refractive index and a second class ofmicrospheres having a second refractive index. The second refractiveindex is higher than the first refractive index. As a result, thesheeting exhibits superior observation angle angularity.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,796 to Wilson, et al. discloses bonded structuredretroreflective sheeting. The structured retroreflective sheetingincludes an array of corner cube structured retroreflective elements, athermoplastic sealing film located proximate the structured elements,and bonding agent between the sealing film and the structuredretroreflective elements. The bonding agent bonds the sealing film tothe structured retroreflective film. This bonded structure is rigid andis unlikely to survive the flexing and twisting movements of areflective jewelry piece.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,314 to Smith, et al. discloses a retroreflectivecube corner article having scalene base triangles. The cube cornerretroreflective article exhibits a wide range of retroreflectiveentrance angularity in at least one plane, and preferably in two or moreplanes. The structured surface has an array of cube corner elementsformed by three intersecting sets of substantially parallel grooves.Each cube corner element includes a base triangle bonded by one groovefrom each of the three intersecting groove sets, the base triangle beingscalene. The corner cube reflector is rigid and cannot be used forproducing reflective jewelry.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,108 to Nestegard, et al. discloses a retroreflectivepolymer coated flexible fabric material and method of manufacture. Theretroreflective polymeric coated flexible fabric material has aretroreflective layer and a polymeric compatibilizing layer welded to apolymeric coated outer surface of a flexible fabric material. Thecompatibilizing layer provides an intermediate layer between theretroreflective layer and the flexible fabric material, creatingsuitable bond strength between dissimilar polymers. Flexible fabricmaterials are polyester, nylon or cotton. The fabric is coated withhighly plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or ethylene acrylic acidcopolymer (EAA). These polymers are flexible, durable, and resistant toabrasion. The retroreflective prismatic elements layer includes: acrylicpolymers, such as poly(methylmethacrylate); polycarbonates; cellulosics;polyesters such as poly(butyleneterephthalate);poly(ethyleneterephthalate); fluoropolymers; polyamides;polyetherketones; poly(etherimide); polyolefins; poly(styrene);poly(styrene) co-polymers; polysulfone; urethanes, including aliphaticand aromatic polyurethanes; and mixtures of the above polymers such as apoly(ester) and poly(carbonate) blend, and a fluoropolymer and acrylicpolymer blend. The compatibilizing layer that is suitable for bondingbetween a retroreflective layer and a flexible fabric material include:polyurethane, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene N-butylacrylate copolymer, ethylene ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene vinylacetate copolymer, polymerically plasticized PVC, and polyurethaneprimed ethylene acrylic acid copolymer. Such a reflective fabric doesnot suggest the shape, construction or function of a reflective jewelrypiece.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,858 to Frey discloses retroreflective sheeting witha coated back surface. The retroreflective sheet has a plurality ofindentations on the back surface to reflect the light, and a transparentfront surface to encapsulate and protect the light reflectingindentations. This reflective sheet is rigid and is unsuitable for usein reflective jewelry.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,537 to Crandall discloses a method of making aretroreflective article that has a binder layer containing an epoxyresin and silicone crosslinked polymer. A pre-binder compositioncomprises about 5 to about 40 parts of an epoxy resin. About 60 to about95 parts of an alkoxysilane terminated polymer is applied to aretroreflective layer and then cured to form a binder layer that isadhered to the retroreflective layer and an article of clothing. Thebinder composition does not cover the exterior surface of the reflectivelayer and does not provide abrasion resistance.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,028 to Lasch, et al. discloses retroreflectivearticles having multilayer films and methods of manufacturing same.These retroreflective articles have multilayer films and are useful forcommercial graphics and retroreflective products, such as roll-up signsfor highway transportation safety. The articles comprise multilayerfilms having at least one layer of polyurethane and a core layer of acopolymer of alkylene and a bond layer of non-acidic, polar co-monomerincluding, ethylene copolymer, vinyl acetate, acrylate, EVA,acid-modified EVA, anhydride-modified EVA, acid-acrylate-modified EVA,anhydride-acrylate-modified EVA, EEA, EMA, AEA, EVACO, EBACO, and EnBA.The glass retroreflective beads comprise an air-exposed portion or havean overlay polyurethane or EAA cover film. When retroreflective glassbeads are exposed to air, they are subject to wear.

Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct safetywear reflective jewelry devices that are illuminated by incident light,there remains a need in the art for a flexible abrasion resistantjewelry piece that omnidirectionally reflects a significant quantum ofincoming light back to its source. Numerous methods for producingretroreflectors have been disclosed. A flexible reflective jewelry piecehaving flexible, omnidirectional abrasion resistant construction haslong been needed in the art. Also needed is a jewelry piece capable ofmaintaining high reflectivity when subjected to surface abrasion fromfrictional forces created by contact of the jewelry with a person'sskin, clothing, or perspiration from physical exertion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a reflective jewelry piece that isabrasion resistant and omnidirectionally reflective. Omnidirectionalreflectivity is provided by the incorporation of retroreflective cornercube reflectors or microsphere reflective elements thermally bonded ontoa nylon mesh strip to form a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet, whichis in turn sown onto a narrow width reflective strip. With thisstructure, the jewelry reflects a significant quantum of the incidentlight from a car head light or other light emitting element back to thesource. The abrasion resistance property of the jewelry is provided by atransparent coating. One such coating comprises a polymer that istransparent, flexible and has a refractive index significantly smallerthan that of the retroreflective elements used.

Abrasion resistance and omnidirectional reflectivity is achieved by: a)creating a flexible retroreflective sheet comprising a plurality ofcorner cube reflectors bonded via a transparent bond to a flexiblepolymeric sheet, or several microspheres bonded via a transparent bondto a reflectorized flexible polymeric sheet; b) producing a narrow widthstrip composed of nylon or polypropylene fibers by knitting, weaving orbraiding, to achieve a strip width in the range of 0.0065 inch to 0.25inch, depending upon the size of the central cylindrical rope core; c)thermally bonding a flexible retroreflective sheet onto a nylon meshstrip to form a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet which is in turnsown onto a show surface of the narrow width strip, thereby forming anarrow width reflective strip; d) cylindrically braiding, at a shallowbraid angle, three or more narrow width reflective strips to surroundand cover the external surface of a central cylindrical core made frombraided nylon or polypropylene fibers; e) forming a cylindricalretroreflective braided sleeve integrally surrounding a centralcylindrical core to thereby create a jewelry piece having an externalretroreflector surface; and f) coating the external surface of thecylindrical retroreflective braided sleeve with a transparent, flexibleabrasion resistant coating having a refractive index significantly lessthan that of the retroreflective elements. The thickness of thetransparent abrasion resistant coating is in the range of 0.002 to 0.010inches.

The jewelry piece comprises a proximal end and a distal end. Theproximal end includes a female connector thereon and the distal endincludes a male connector thereon. The female connector is operable withthe male connector to attach the jewelry piece onto a person so that thejewelry provides omnidirectional reflectivity. The entire length of thejewelry piece reflects the incident light from a car's headlights orother light source back to the source illuminating the position of theperson wearing the jewelry piece.

Optionally, the reflective jewelry piece's male connector is composed ofa metallic material and the female connector is comprised of a magneticportion adapted to magnetically engage with the male connector.Alternatively, the male connector is comprised a magnetic member and thefemale connector is composed of a metallic material so that the male andfemale connectors magnetically engage with one another. The maleconnector may comprise a magnetic member and the female connector maycomprise a magnetic portion so that the male and female magneticallyengage with one another. In another embodiment, the male connectorcomprises a ribbed portion and the female connector comprises a groovedaperture adapted to receive the ribbed portion of the male connector.Alternatively, the male connector and the female connector comprise aconnection means, wherein the connection means is selected from thegroup consisting of a Velcro, hook and eye closure, snap closure, hookclosure, or clasp closure. The transparent abrasion resistant coatingmay be applied to the entire length of the jewelry piece between theproximal and distal ends.

The reflective jewelry piece may function as a necklace. Alternatively,the reflective jewelry piece functions as a bracelet. The reflectivejewelry piece may function as an armband, headband, or a waistband.

The cylindrical character of the flexible cylindrical braided sleevereflects a significant quantum of incident light back to the sourceeffectively since some portion of the braided sleeve is always at anglesclose to normality and most of the braided cylindrical sleeve fallswithin the reflecting angular range of the retroreflectors. The shallowbraiding angle of the cylindrical braid sleeve lays the thermally bondednarrow width strips at a shallow angle with respect to the length of thecylindrical central core. As a result the can be readily flexed ortwisted due to the relative movement provided within the cylindricalbraid sleeve structure. The flexibility of the transparent abrasionresistant coating provides for flexing and twisting movement of theabrasion resistant reflective jewelry without coating separation ordelamination.

The external surface of the cylindrical retroreflective braided sleeveis coated with a transparent, flexible abrasion resistant polymericcoating. The coating has a refractive index significantly lesser thanthat of retroreflective elements. Typically the retroreflective elementshave a refractive index of 1.9 to 2.2 and the flexible transparentabrasion resistant polymeric coating has a refractive index of 1.3 to1.55. A 0.002 to 0.010 inch layer of transparent flexible abrasionresistant polymeric coating does not affect the path of normallyincident incoming light beam. With such a coating alteration of the pathof inclined incident light beam is minimal. Similarly, the reflectedlight beam path is not severely affected. The internal reflectionproperty of the retroreflective elements is not deteriorated since theabrasion resistant coating has significantly lower refractive index, ascompared to that of the retroreflective elements.

The jewelry comprises a cylindrical reflective braided sleeve havingthree or more narrow width reflective strips that braided at a shallowcylindrical braid angle, said cylindrical reflective braided sleevebeing operable to surround the central cylindrical braided rope corethereby providing omnidirectional reflectivity. Each narrow widthreflective strip has a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sown totheir show surface. The flexible nylon retroreflective sheet is formedby thermally bonding a retroreflector coated flexible polymer sheet to anylon mesh strip.

In another embodiment, the reflective jewelry piece, comprises: (i) acentral cylindrical braided rope core operable to sustain substantialtensile forces; (ii) a cylindrical reflective braided sleeve comprisingthree or more narrow width reflective strips that are braided at ashallow cylindrical braid angle, said cylindrical reflective braidedsleeve being operable to surround said central cylindrical braided ropecore thereby providing omnidirectional reflectivity; (iii) said narrowwidth reflective strips comprising a woven or knitted narrow width stripand a flexible retroreflective sheet, said woven or knitted narrow widthstrip having a show surface, and said flexible retroreflective sheetbeing thermally bonded onto said show surface thereof; (iv) saidflexible retroreflective sheet having retroreflectors bonded theretowith a transparent bond layer; and (v) said jewelry piece having aproximal end and a distal end, said proximal end having a femaleconnector thereon and said distal end having a male connector thereon,said female connector being operable with said male connector to attachsaid jewelry piece onto a person so that said jewelry providesomnidirectional reflectivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages willbecome apparent when reference is had to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is a photograph of the reflective jewelry piece showing thereflective cylindrical braided sleeve of narrow width strips covering acentral core, and further showing the male and female connectors locatedon the distal and proximal ends, respectively, taken with camera flashlight showing reflective portions as bright regions;

FIG. 1 b is a photograph of the reflective jewelry piece showing thereflective cylindrical braided sleeve of narrow width strips covering acentral core, and further showing the male and female connectors locatedon the distal and proximal ends, respectively, taken without cameraflash light showing reflective portions as dark regions; and

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the reflective jewelry piece illustrating thedetails of a transparent abrasion resistant polymeric conformal coatingsubstantially covering the reflective cylindrical braided sleeve ofnarrow width strips surrounding the central core;

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the proximal end of the reflective jewelrypiece as attached to the reflective cylindrical braided sleeve of narrowwidth strips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an abrasion resistant reflective jewelrypiece that is flexible, twistable and omnidirectionally reflective. Ithas an integral female connector attached to the proximal end of thejewelry, and an integral male connector attached to the distal end ofthe jewelry, which operate together to attach the jewelry piece to aperson's body to provide omnidirectional reflectivity. The jewelry pieceforms an omnidirectional reflective necklace, bracelet, headband,armband, waistband, or the like, that reflects incident light back toits source, thereby clearly defining the whereabouts of the jewelrypiece. This increases the margin of safety in dusk or night timeenvironments when a car headlight can illuminate the wearer or person,reducing the possibility of accidents. Since the omnidirectionallyreflecting jewelry reflects light over a broad range, due to itsreflective cylindrical sleeve arrangement, the headlight can be at asignificant angle and could still be reflected back.

The abrasion resistant omnidirectional jewelry is constructed bybuilding a cylindrically reflective sleeve from narrow width strips ofnylon or polypropylene. Reflectivity is achieved by first selecting aflexible polymer sheet and coating the flexible polymer sheet with aplurality of retroreflectors using a transparent binder to form aretroreflector coated flexible polymer sheet. The retroreflector coatedflexible polymer sheet is then thermally bonded to a nylon mesh strip toform a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet. The flexible nylonretroreflective sheet is then sown onto a show surface of a narrow widthreflective strip. At least three of these narrow width reflective stripsare braided at a shallow cylindrical braid angle to form anomnidirectionally reflective sleeve having a braided construction. Afemale connector is then attached (fixedly) to the proximal end of thecentral rope, while a male connector is attached to the distal end ofthe central rope. The female connector is operable with the maleconnector to attach the jewelry piece onto a person so that the jewelryprovides omnidirectional reflectivity.

The retroreflecting elements may be corner cubes, in which case thepolymeric flexible sheet can be non-reflective. Alternatively, theretroreflecting elements may be microspheres. If microspheres are usedas retroreflective elements, the polymeric flexible sheet needs to bereflective and is typically metallized with aluminum or silver. Ineither case, the retroreflective elements are bonded to the flexiblesheet using a transparent binder.

The flexible sheet with retroreflective elements is available from 3MCorporation. The trade name for this product is SCOTCHLITE and theflexible polymer is typically PVC and the product is available in avariety of sizes. This flexible reflectorized sheet is thermally bondedto a nylon mesh strip, woven or knitted to form a flexible nylonretroreflective sheet. The nylon mesh strip may have a width of 0.0165cm to 0.635 cm (0.0065 inches to 0.25 inches) and is thermally bonded toa SCOTCHLITE strip having a width slightly less than the width of thenylon mesh strip. The SCOTCHLITE strip is bonded the entire length ofthe nylon mesh strip, and is bonded centrally on the nylon mesh strip,so that there are equal side portions of the nylon mesh strip on bothsides of the SCOTCHLITE strip. The side portions are then sown to anarrow width strip. The thermal bonding binder may be selected from anumber of polymeric binders including, but not limited to, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate or acrylates.

The flexible nylon retroreflective sheet is highly flexible and can becylindrically braided visa vie through the braiding of the narrow widthstrip to which it is attached via sown to the surface thereof. At leastthree of these narrow width reflective strips are braided at a shallowcylindrical braid angle to form an omnidirectionally reflective sleevehaving a braided construction surrounding a central rope core of thejewelry, which substantially sustains any pulling tensile forces whichmay result through wearing of the jewelry piece.

The abrasion resistant omnidirectional jewelry piece is constructed bybuilding a cylindrically reflective sleeve from the narrow width stripsof nylon or polypropylene having the flexible nylon retroreflectivesheets sown thereto. The cylindrical braiding employs three or morenarrow width strips. The cylindrical braiding is accomplished with asmall angle between narrow width strips and the longitudinal directionof the central core rope. A female connector is then attached (fixedly)to the proximal end of the central rope, while a male connector isattached to the distal end of the central rope. The female connector isoperable with the male connector to attach the jewelry piece onto aperson so that the jewelry provides omnidirectional reflectivity. Thecylindrical braiding is accomplished to cover the entire length of thejewelry piece (excluding the male and female connectors). The ends ofthe braid are terminated by permanent bonding.

The jewelry piece comprises a proximal end and a distal end. Theproximal end includes a female connector thereon and the distal endincludes a male connector thereon. The female connector is operable withthe male connector to attach the jewelry piece onto a person so that thejewelry provides omnidirectional reflectivity. The entire length of thejewelry piece reflects the incident light from a car's headlights backto the source illuminating the position of the person wearing thejewelry piece.

The transparent abrasion resistant coating may be applied to the entirelength of the jewelry piece between the proximal and distal ends.

The reflective jewelry piece may function as a necklace. Alternatively,the reflective jewelry piece functions as a bracelet. The bracelet maybe of the form of a bracelet worn on the wrist, or a bracelet worn onthe ankle. The reflective jewelry piece may function as an armband,headband, or a waistband. The abrasion resistant coating helps tomitigate damage to the reflective sleeve as the wearer perspires on thejewelry piece, such as when the wearer is participating in highlyathletic sporting activities.

A transparent abrasion resistant coating is applied to the outer surfaceof the cylindrically reflective braided sleeve of the jewelry and isapplied as a substantially conformal coating. The reflective strips haveretroreflective elements embedded in the strips having a corner cubeprismatic or microsphere geometry. These transparent retroreflectiveelements are made from high refractive index transparent materials suchas barium oxide-titanium oxide containing glasses. They exhibit arefractive index in the range of 1.9 to 2.2. The transparent abrasionresistant polymeric coating is selected to have a refractive index,which is significantly less than that of the retrorefractive elements.As a result, the incident and reflected light path is not significantlyaltered even when the incident beam is inclined to the reflectivestrips. The internal reflection process within the retroreflectiveelements is not deteriorated by the transparent abrasion resistantcoating. The polymers suitable for use with the transparent abrasionresistant coating have a refractive index in the range of 1.3 to 1.55.

In addition to this refractive index requirement, the transparentabrasion resistant coating must exhibit excellent mechanical properties,including tensile strength and elongation, in order to provide therequired abrasion resistance. The polymer coating must also exhibitsuperior bond properties to the retroreflective elements and theunderlying polymeric sheet of the reflective strip. If the bondproperties are poor, the transparent abrasion resistant coating maydelaminate when the jewelry piece is subjected to abrasion or flexingand twisting movement. The transparent abrasion resistant coating musthave low elastic modulus so that it remains flexible when the jewelry istwisted. A high modulus transparent abrasion resistant coating is notdesired since it applies significant stresses at the coating—reflectivetape interface resulting in deterioration or fracture of theretroreflective elements.

A number of polymer systems meet these requirements. These polymers maybe applied by dipping the cylindrically braided jewelry piece into apolymeric melt or by spraying a polymer composition dissolved in asuitable solvent. Thermosetting resin compositions such as two-componentpolyurethane may be painted or sprayed over the cylindrically braidedreflective outer surface of the jewelry piece. In Table A below thereare listed a number of transparent polymer compositions suitable for thejewelry abrasion resistant coating. Also listed are the refractiveindexes for the compositions. TABLE A Polymer Name Refractive Indexaliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes 1.35 to 1.45 Dow Corning OE-4100Silicone elastomer 1.4751 Polymethyl tetradecyl siloxane 1.4550 Polyvinyl acetate 1.4665 PMMA Poly methyl methacrylate 1.4893 Celluloseacetate 1.4750 Ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer EVA 1.4820

Thermoplastic aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes are preferred ascompared to aromatic urethanes because of their transparency, resistanceto dirt build-up, flexiblility ultraviolet radiation degradationresistance. Typically, aliphatic polyurethane has the structure

[—O—(CH(CH₃)CH2O₂₀—C(O)—NH—R—NH—C(O)—]; or

[—O—(CH₂—CH₂CH₂ CH₂—O—)₁₀—C(O)—NH—R—NH—C(O)—], where R is a non-aromaticgroup.

Rohm and Haas, (Morton International Inc) supplies melt extrudablepolyurethane compositions under the trade name designation MORTHANEL430.77 and MORTHANE Brand PN 3429-215. A melt extrusion process may beused to coat the external surface of the cylindrically braidedreflective sleeve

Aptec Laboratories, 28570, Livingston Avenue, Valencia Calif.91355-4171. 661-257-1677 markets polyurethane with low elastic modulusfor conformal coatings. Two component APTEK transparent unfilledpolyurethane compositions of interest include the composition 2503-A/B(www.apteklabs.com/products/2503-AB.pdf) and the composition 2506-A/B(www.apteklabs.com/products/2506.pdf). These two compositions aredesigned for the encapsulation and protection of devices in applicationsthat require toughness, excellent flexibility and optimum tensilestrength, as well as elongation characteristics. APTEK 2503-A/B iscurable at 80 C while APTEK 2506-A/B is room temperature curable. Bothcompositions are dissolved in a solvent and are therefore suitable forbrush or spray application.

Bayer provides a number of clear polyurethane coating compositions basedon one component or two component systems. Desmodular I aliphaticdiisocyanate is often abbreviated to IPDI, CAS 4098-71-9. Polyurethaneprepared from IPDI is clear, tough and resists photodegradation andhydrolysis. Isocyanurate based on IPDI is marketed by Bayer under thetrade name Z-4470; and is available in a number of solvent blends. Twocomponent polyurethane is commonly formulated with Desmodur Z-4470.Desmodur E polyisocyanates is a single component moisture curable systemcapable of being diluted in a solvent.

www.setcochemicals.net/resins4.htm. supplies flexible room temperaturecuring polyurethane coatings ROTOTHANE® 9020. This coating adheres toplastics and leather.

Dow Corning supplies a number of silicone compositions suitable forcoating the cylindrically braided reflective strips to provide abrasionresistance. Conformal coatings are materials applied in thin layers(typically a few mils or a fraction of a mm) onto printed circuits orother electronic substrates. They provide environmental and mechanicalprotection to significantly extend the life of the components andcircuitry. Conformal coatings are traditionally applied by dipping,spraying or simple flow coating, and increasingly by select coating orrobotic dispensing. Key requirements for the clear coating are lowviscosity, enabling application of thin conformal coatings, roomtemperature cure in reasonable cure time and reasonable hardness. InTable B below there are shown some of the conformal silicone coatingsmarketed by Dow Corning. TABLE B Product One part/ Viscosity Name Twopart CPS Cure Durometer 3-1965 1 110 RT 24 Hrs 29 A Moisture cure 3-19531 360 RT 24 Hrs 26 A Moisture Cure 3-1765 1 150 RT 24 Hrs 25 A Moisturecure 3-1753 1 385 RT 24 Hrs 25 A Moisture cure Sylgard 2 450 20 min/85C. 64 OO 1-4128 I-4105 1 470 10 min/105 C. 65 OO QI-4010 1 830 15min/110 C. 30 A I-2620 1 250 RT 72 Hrs 25 D Abrasion Resistant I-2577 11250 RT 72 Hrs 25 D LOW VOC Abrasion Resistant I-2577 1 725 RT 72 Hrs 23D Abrasion Resistant

Candidates for silicone conformal coating compositions that meet the lowviscosity in the range of 100-250 CPS, room temperature cure inreasonable time period and reasonable hardness are coating compositions3-1965., 3-1765 and I-2620. These compositions may be dipped, brushpainted or sprayed.

Of particular interest is a Dow Corning OE-4100 optical siliconeelastomer, which cures in 2 hour at 150 C with a platinum basedcatalyst, as discussed inwww.dowcorning.com/content/photonic/75-1009B-01.pdf. This composition isspecifically developed for use in the optical coating of opticalcomponents and is clear, transparent with a refractive index of 1.47.

Polyvinyl acetate is soluble in acetone as well as toluene. Acetonedissolved polyvinyl acetate film has a slightly higher elastic modulusas compared to that dissolved in toluene due to rapid evaporation ofacetone. Acetone dissolved polyvinyl acetate is applied to thecylindrically braided surface of the jewelry to form a flexible filmwhich is resistant to twisting action of a jewelry. Polyvinyl acetate isavailable from Union Carbide under the trade names AYAC, AYAA, AYAF andAYAT depending upon the molecular weight of the polymer.

FIG. 1 a is a photograph of the jewelry piece, shown generally at 10,having a male connector 13 located on the distal end, a female connector11 located on the proximal end, and a central jewelry piece section 12.A cylindrically braided sleeve, created from braided narrow widthreflective strips, covers the central jewelry piece section 12,providing substantially the entire surface of the jewelry piece withomnidirectional reflectivity. The jewelry piece completely reflectsincident light in the same direction the light was emanated. Due to thecylindrical character of the reflective braided sleeve, some portion ofthe sleeve is always at normal orientation to the incoming light beam,that is, the direction at which the reflection from the retroreflectiveelements is maximized. Retroreflective elements reflect light over alarge range of acceptance angles, but the reflection is at a lowerintensity. This cylindrical construction effectively reflects theincoming camera flash light as shown in the photograph of FIG. 1 a bythe extremely bright appearance of the retroreflectors 16 (see also FIG.2) of the jewelry.

FIG. 1 b shows a photograph of another view of the omnidirectionalreflective jewelry piece without using a camera flash. The illuminationcomes from the room's light. The light here, again, is reflected back tothe illuminating source, and practically no light is directed in thedirection of the camera. As a result, the retroreflector bright areas ofFIG. 1 a now appear dark.

The reflective jewelry piece's male connector 13 is composed of ametallic material and the female connector 11 is comprised of a magneticportion adapted to magnetically engage with the male connector.Alternatively, the male connector 13 is comprised a magnetic member andthe female connector 11 is composed of a metallic material so that themale and female connectors, 13 and 11, respectively, magnetically engagewith one another. The male connector 13 may comprise a magnetic memberand the female connector 11 may comprise a magnetic portion so that themale and female, 13 and 11, respectively, magnetically engage with oneanother. In another embodiment, the male connector 13 comprises a ribbedportion and the female connector 11 comprises a grooved aperture adaptedto receive the ribbed portion of the male connector 13. Alternatively,the male connector 13 and the female connector 11 comprise a connectionmeans, wherein the connection means is selected from the groupconsisting of a Velcro, hook and eye closure, snap closure, hookclosure, or clasp closure.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a magnified portion of the central jewelrysection 12. The photograph shows a transparent abrasion resistantpolymeric conformal coating substantially covering the reflectivecylindrical braided sleeve of narrow width strips surrounding a centralcore. The cylindrical reflective braided sleeve is braided with a smallbraid angle of 5 to 10 degrees between the narrow width stripssurrounding the central cylindrical rope core of the jewelry. Thecentral cylindrical rope core is completely covered by the cylindricalreflective braided sleeve and therefore is invisible in the photograph.The flexible nylon retroreflective sheet is shown at 16 and the narrowwidth strip is shown at 15. The flexible nylon retroreflective sheet 16is thermally bonded to the narrow width strip 15 prior to cylindricalbraiding operation. The outer surface of the flexible nylonretroreflective sheet 16 and the narrow width strip is covered with atransparent conformal flexible abrasion resistant coating 14. Theformation of the narrow width reflective strips is generally shown at20. A flexible retroreflective sheet 21 is thermally bonded onto a nylonmesh strip 22 to form a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet 16. Thenylon mesh strip 22 is folded at phantom lines a₁ in the directionindicated by arrows. The flexible nylon retroreflective sheet 16,comprising flexible retroreflective sheet 21 thermally bonded onto nylonmesh strip 22, is then sown onto a show surface of a narrow width strip15 at or near a₁ to form a narrow width reflective strip 25. At leastthree of these narrow width reflective strips 25 are braided at ashallow cylindrical braid angle to form an omnidirectionally reflectivesleeve having a braided construction that surrounds a central rope core,providing substantially the entire surface of the jewelry withomnidirectional reflectivity.

FIG. 3 shows the female connector 11 located on the proximal end of thereflective jewelry piece as attached to the reflective cylindricalbraided sleeve of narrow width strips. The female connector 11 isfixedly attached to the proximal end of the jewelry piece. The centralcylindrical braided rope core is completely covered by the cylindricalreflective braided sleeve and the ends of the braid are terminated bybonding to each strip at 17.

The key features of the abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflectivejewelry includes, in combination, the features set forth below:

-   -   1. a jewelry piece comprised of a central cylindrical braided        rope core composed of braided nylon or polypropylene fibers        capable of sustaining tensile forces;    -   2. the central cylindrical braided rope core being covered        substantially with a transparent abrasion resistant conformal        coating applied to a cylindrically reflective braided sleeve;    -   3. the cylindrically reflective braided sleeve formed by        cylindrically braiding narrow width reflected strips, formed        from knitted, woven or braided nylon, or polypropylene narrow        width strips, having a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet,        comprising a flexible retroreflective sheet thermally bonded        onto a nylon mesh strip, sown to the surface thereof;    -   4. each of the flexible retroreflector sheets being prepared by        bonding corner cube geometry retroreflectors to a flexible        polymeric sheet using a transparent binder;    -   5. such flexible retroreflector sheets alternately being        prepared by bonding microsphere geometry retroreflectors to a        metallized reflective flexible polymeric sheet using a        transparent binder;    -   6. each of the flexible retroreflective sheets being thermally        bonded to a nylon mesh strip to form a flexible nylon        retroreflective sheet;    -   7. twist and flexure forces acting on the abrasion resistant        omnidirectionally reflective jewelry being accommodated by the        braided construction of the cylindrical reflective sleeve and        the flexibility of abrasion resistant coating;    -   8. the cylindrical braided sleeve-covered jewelry substantially        reflecting incident light back in the same direction as the        incident light, clearly indicating the whereabouts of the person        wearing the jewelry; and    -   9. the abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective jewelry        providing an increased margin of safety for wearers while        walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, boating or        engaging in sport activities, or the like, in dimly lit        environments, such as parking garages, or inclement weather        conditions, or on water bodies such as lakes, inland waterways,        rivers, harbors, canals and the like, where rapidly moving        vehicles or vessels are encountered.

The abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective jewelry piecedisclosed herein can be modified in numerous ways without departing fromthe scope of the invention. For example, at least one strip of thecentral braded rope core can be composed of leather. The necklace,bracelet or anklet can be integral with the central rope core ordetachable therefrom via fastening means in the conventional way. Theseand other modifications are intended to fall within the scope of theinvention, as defined by the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will beunderstood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but thatadditional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to oneskilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention asdefined by the subjoined claims.

1. A reflective jewelry piece, comprising: a. a central cylindricalbraided rope core operable to sustain substantial tensile forces; b. acylindrical reflective braided sleeve comprising three or more narrowwidth reflective strips that are braided at a shallow cylindrical braidangle, said cylindrical reflective braided sleeve being operable tosurround said central cylindrical braided rope core thereby providingomnidirectional reflectivity; c. said cylindrical reflective braidedsleeve substantially coated with a conformal transparent polymericabrasion resistant coating; d. said narrow width reflective stripscomprising a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylonretroreflective sheet sown thereon, said woven or knitted narrow widthstrip having a show surface, said flexible retroreflective nylon sheetcomprising a flexible retroreflective sheet thermally bonded onto anylon mesh strip, said nylon mesh strip being sown onto said showsurface of said narrow width reflective strip; e. said flexibleretroreflective sheet having retroreflectors bonded thereto with atransparent bond layer; f. said transparent polymeric abrasion resistantcoating having a refractive index lower than that of saidretroreflectors; and g. said jewelry piece having a proximal end and adistal end, said proximal end having a female connector thereon and saiddistal end having a male connector thereon, said female connector beingoperable with said male connector to attach said jewelry piece onto aperson so that said jewelry provides omnidirectional reflectivity.
 2. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said centralcylindrical braided rope core comprises braided nylon fibers.
 3. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said centralcylindrical braided rope core comprises braided polypropylene fibers. 4.A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein saidcylindrical reflective braided sleeve is braided at a braid angle of 5to 10 degrees.
 5. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1,wherein each of said narrow width reflective strips has a width of0.0065 to 0.25 inches.
 6. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim1, wherein said flexible retroreflective sheet is thermally bonded tosaid woven or knitted narrow width strip with polyvinyl chloride.
 7. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said flexibleretroreflective sheet is thermally bonded to said woven or knittednarrow width strip with polyvinyl acetate.
 8. A reflective jewelry pieceas recited by claim 1, wherein said flexible retroreflective sheet isthermally bonded to said woven or knitted narrow width strip withpolyurethane.
 9. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1,wherein said flexible retroreflective sheet comprises a plurality ofcorner cube retroreflectors.
 10. A reflective jewelry piece as recitedby claim 1, wherein said flexible retroreflective sheet comprises aplurality of microsphere retroreflectors bonded to a light-reflectingsheet.
 11. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, whereinsaid retroreflectors have a refractive index in the range of 1.9 to 2.2.12. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein saidtransparent polymeric abrasion resistant coating has a refractive indexin the range of 1.3 to 1.55.
 13. A reflective jewelry piece as recitedby claim 1, wherein said transparent polymeric abrasion resistantcoating has a thickness in the range of 0.002 to 0.010 inches.
 14. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said transparentpolymeric abrasion resistant coating polymer is a member selected fromthe group consisting of polyurethane, silicone, polymethyl methacralate,and polyvinyl acetate.
 15. A reflective jewelry piece as recited byclaim 14, wherein said polyurethane is aliphatic polyurethane.
 16. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 14, wherein saidpolyurethane is melt extruded.
 17. A reflective jewelry piece as recitedby claim 14, wherein said polyurethane is dissolved in a solvent andsprayed on the said cylindrical reflective braided sleeve.
 18. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 14, wherein said siliconecomprises a silicone composition having a viscosity in the range of100-275 CPS.
 19. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1,wherein said jewelry piece functions as a necklace.
 20. A reflectivejewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said jewelry piecefunctions as a bracelet.
 21. A reflective jewelry piece as recited byclaim 1, wherein said jewelry piece functions as an armband.
 22. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said jewelrypiece functions as a headband.
 23. A reflective jewelry piece as recitedby claim 1, wherein said jewelry piece functions as a waistband.
 24. Areflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said maleconnector is composed of a metallic material and said female connectorcomprises a magnetic portion adapted to magnetically engage with saidmale connector.
 25. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1,wherein said male connector comprises a magnetic member and said femaleconnector is composed of a metallic material so that said male andfemale connectors magnetically engage with one another.
 26. A reflectivejewelry piece as recited by claim 1, wherein said male connectorcomprises a magnetic member and said female connector comprises amagnetic portion so that said male and female magnetically engage withone another.
 27. A reflective jewelry piece as recited by claim 1,wherein said male connector comprises a ribbed portion and said femaleconnector comprises a grooved aperture adapted to receive said ribbedportion of said male connector.
 28. A reflective jewelry piece asrecited by claim 1, wherein said male connector and said femaleconnector comprise a connection means, said connection means selectedfrom the group consisting of a Velcro, hook and eye closure, snapclosure, hook closure, or clasp closure.
 29. A reflective jewelry piece,comprising: a. a central cylindrical braided rope core operable tosustain substantial tensile forces; b. a cylindrical reflective braidedsleeve comprising three or more narrow width reflective strips that arebraided at a shallow cylindrical braid angle, said cylindricalreflective braided sleeve being operable to surround said centralcylindrical braided rope core thereby providing omnidirectionalreflectivity; c. said narrow width reflective strips comprising a wovenor knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheetsown thereon, said woven or knitted narrow width strip having a showsurface, said flexible retroreflective nylon sheet comprising a flexibleretroreflective sheet thermally bonded onto a nylon mesh strip, saidnylon mesh strip being sown onto said show surface of said narrow widthreflective strip; d. said flexible retroreflective sheet havingretroreflectors bonded thereto with a transparent bond layer; and e.said jewelry piece having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximalend having a female connector thereon and said distal end having a maleconnector thereon, said female connector being operable with said maleconnector to attach said jewelry piece onto a person so that saidjewelry provides omnidirectional reflectivity.
 30. A process formanufacture of a reflective jewelry piece, comprising the steps of: a.selecting a braided nylon or polypropylene cylindrical central rope,said cylindrical central rope having a proximal end, a distal end, andan external surface; b. attaching a female connector to said proximalend of said central rope; c. attaching a male connector to said distalend of said central rope, said female connector being operable with saidmale connector to attach said jewelry piece onto a person so that saidjewelry provides omnidirectional reflectivity; d. selecting a flexiblepolymer sheet; e. coating said flexible polymer sheet with a pluralityof retroreflectors using a transparent binder to form a retroreflectorcoated flexible polymer sheet; f. thermally bonding said retroreflectorcoated flexible polymer sheet to a nylon mesh strip to form a flexiblenylon retroreflective sheet; g. sowing said flexible nylonretroreflective sheet to a narrow width reflective strip; h. braiding atleast three of said narrow width reflective strips at a shallowcylindrical braid angle to form an omnidirectionally reflective sleevehaving a braided construction; i. applying a transparent flexiblepolymeric abrasion resistant conformal coating to substantially coversaid omnidirectionally reflective sleeve; and j. covering said externalsurface of said cylindrical central rope with said omnidirectionallyreflective sleeve to provide said reflective jewelry piece withomnidirectional reflectivity; said omnidirectionally reflective jewelrypiece being operable to sustain abrasion, substantial tensile forces,and to accommodate twist and flexure forces due to strength and movementafforded by said braided construction of said omnidirectionallyreflective sleeve.